Introduction to the MRA Training Seminar

The next ‘Introduction to the MRA Seminar’ is scheduled for Friday 12th October 2018 at Gemserv offices, London, from 10.30 to 14.00. The session is free of charge to all MRA Parties, and its objectives include:

To provide an overview of the MRA, MRA Products (MAPs, Working Practices and the Data Transfer Catalogue) and associated systems (ECOES and the GDCC);

To explain how the MRA interacts with other codes in the electricity market; and

To raise awareness of the processes for raising issues under the MRA, and for raising changes to the MRA and its Products.

There will be opportunities throughout the day to raise questions with MRA experts. Spaces are allocated on a first come first served basis. Please contact the MRA Helpdesk by Thursday 4th October 2018 to register attendees for the seminar of if you have any queries.

MRA Audit Programme 2018/19

19th September 2018

On Monday the 10th September 2018, MRASCo hosted a webinar to inform parties of the upcoming ECOES and GDCC audits for 2018/2019. By clicking on the link below, you will see the slides which were discussed at the webinar.

IREG Update September 2018

IREG met on 12th September 2018 and discussed the following MRA Issue Forms (MIFs) and Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service (ECOES) changes:

MIF219 – Full review of Working Practice Product Set

IREG:

Noted that the MRA Development Board (MDB) rejected WPPS CP 150 (Delete WP77 from WPPS). The rejection came about when one Distribution Business (DB) rejected the change, one supported it and the other DBs were neutral or had no interest. The DB that rejected it as there were no corresponding DTC CP to add clarity in the Data Transfer Catalogue (DTC). A Proposer will be raising a DTC CP to address this and a new WPPS CP to remove WP77.

Agreed to progress CPs for WP6 (Determining the Meter Reading on Change of Supplier (MRoCoS)); WP104 (Population of D0086 for Non-Settlement Registers); WP119 (Change of Supplier with shortened registration); WP152 (Requesting Additional or New MPANs).

MIF258 – Near Time Improvements to Electricity Meter Technical Details

IREG supplied feedback on the draft reports issued to it. The group agreed amendments required to enable the reports to be re-issued along with documenting how the design of the reports were developed. IREG agreed to transfer this MIF to the Faster Switching Expert Group (FSEG) for future management of the activities.

MIF261 – D0312 Reports

IREG noted that the FSEG is drafting changes, that if approved, would remove the D0312 (Notification of Meter Information to ECOES) Data Flow. Instead, ECOES will receive the metering information from Meter Point Administration Services (MPASs) in the future. IREG noted that the rescoping of the reporting under the MIF would better sit under the FSEG work as the data cleansing of ECOES is for the benefit of the Ofgem Switching Programme. IREG agreed to transfer this MIF to the FSEG.

IREG noted that the Proposer of the MIF is unable to attend to discuss or progress this MIF. Although there are no formal processes for adoption of MIFs, IREG agreed to share the MIF on Huddle with a message seeking a new Proposer. Should no new Proposer be found ahead of the MRA Development Board on 27th September 2018, then the MIF will be closed.

MIF271 – Managing ECOES User Access

IREG considered the estimated costs of implementing the changes and agreed that the ECOES User Requirement Specification (URS) changes should be reviewed and agreed at its October meeting.

MIF272 – Meter Serial Number not known on CoS for Smart DCC-serviced meters

IREG noted the three responses received for the request for information (RFI) and supplied feedback on the draft changes. The Proposer will take forward a DTC CP that considers the feedback provided.

MIF273 – Additions to section 4 (Access to ECOES) of MAP15

IREG agreed with the proposed solution to include additional parties to MAP15. A Party agreed to Sponsor a MAP CP to take forward the solution.

IREG supplied feedback on the solution and considered the initial estimated costs of implementing the changes. It agreed to the proposals to improve the reporting. However, it wanted to seek feedback from the ECOES Master Administration Users (MAUs) and parties on which functions they would like to be able to give to others within their businesses.

MIF276 – ECOES Letter Privileges

IREG supplied feedback on the solutions and agreed to consider the ECOES URS changes at its October meeting.

MIF275 – Process to support an Authority decision when provisional order issued

IREG agreed with the proposed solution and recommended that the Proposer raise as a material MRA CP so that the Authority approves the CP. The Proposer will look to progress an MRA CP for the October’s MDB.

MIF277 – MS Access version of DTC

IREG noted that any change to version of the MS Access database used for the DTC is under the MRA Executive Committee’s (MEC) vires. It therefore recommended that a request is raised to MEC for it to consider upgrading to a version that Microsoft supports. The outcomes from MEC to IREG will be confirmed.

MIF278 – Gap with HH Change of Meter Operator process

Within the D0268 (Half Hourly Meter Technical Details) Data Flow, the Manufacturers Make and Type is optional. However, it is mandatory on the subsequent D0303 (Notification of Meter Operator (MOP), Supplier and Metering Assets installed / removed by the MOP to the MAP). IREG noted that in the D0150 (Non Half-hourly Meter Technical Details) Data Flow, the Data Item is mandatory. Annex C of the DTC, rule 5 states: “Manufacturers Make & Type optional as Outstation Type is coded.” IREG agreed to seek the Association of Meter Operators (AMO) views of whether the Data Item should be made mandatory.

ECOES testing approach for MAP CP 0298 and ECOES API

IREG supplied feedback on the testing approach for the two ECOES changes. IREG noted that, although it has agreed the ECOES specifications to support MAP CP 0298, it has not yet agreed the ECOES URS changes. As such, it will consider these at its October meeting.

Next meeting

The next meeting is scheduled for Wednesday 10th October.

MEC Update: August 2018

Following the confirmation of MEC representatives for the period from 1st September 2018, Adam
Carden (SSE) was nominated and elected as the new Chair of MEC and Chairman of the MRASCo
Board. Adam replaces Alex Travell who has stepped down as a Supplier MEC representative and
Chair of MEC after a period of eight years. The new MEC representatives are Adam Carden, Kevin
Woollard (Supplier representatives), Martin Hewitt (Distribution Business representative), Nigel Perdue
(BSC Agent representative), Lorna Mallon, Alex Travell (alternate Supplier representatives), and
Tracey Pitcher (alternate Distribution Business representative). The alternate BSC Agent
representative is to be confirmed.

Ofgem advised MEC that the left-to-right plan for the Switching Programme had been agreed
internally and was being prepared for distribution to industry, with a target of end August 2018.
Ofgem noted that 37 responses had been received to its consultation on the Retail Energy
Code (REC); key issues identified during consultation focused on governance over operational
risks. Ofgem confirmed it had initiated a project led by PwC to look at consequential impacts
of the REC on industry systems and codes, and meetings between PwC and all Code
Administrators were being arranged.

MEC received an update with respect to the activity being undertaken by the Faster Switching
Expert Group (FSEG). FSEG had met twice and considered strawmen scenarios, with drafting
of Change Proposals advancing. MEC accepted that an extra meeting of MDB may be
necessitated to accelerate the progress of relevant Change Proposals through the change
process. There was some suggestion that the work under FSEG may be impacted by an
Ofgem position to bring workgroup activity in house, following discussion with industry code
administrators. However, no decision has been formalised yet, and MEC is keen to maintain
the momentum within FSEG. MEC is proposing to write to all Contract Managers to encourage
participation in the ongoing Distribution Business address data cleanse exercise, following
feedback that some parties are not fully engaging in the process. One party considered that
two-way cooperation was required, as some Distribution Business communication to Suppliers
who were engaging had not been sufficient.

MEC received an update from the Secure Communications Work Group (SCWG), which had
met for the first time on 31st July 2018. MEC was asked to receive and agree the drafted ToR,
which it did subject to a small number of corrections and clarifications. The next meeting of the
SCWG would be held on 13th September 2018 and would review the data exchanged between
parties for all processes under the MRA and SPAA, to review whether the communication
methods mandated under code are appropriately and proportionately secure, prior to the
identification of standardised solutions of data transfer.

MEC received an update on the work being undertaken to establish an Erroneous Transfers
Performance Assurance Board (ETPAB) under the MRA and SPAA. MEC received a
proposed ToR but raised some concerns about how the proposed measures and powers
being provided to the ETPAB were underpinned within the MRA and SPAA. MEC has asked
Gemserv and ElectraLink to provide accelerated feedback on points raised to allow MEC and
the SPAA EC to make decisions on the progress of this group ahead of the next meetings.

MEC agreed that Iresa Limited had become a Defaulting party under MRA Clause 36,
following the appointment of administrators. MEC has withdrawn the rights of Iresa Limited to
vote under the MRA and receive MPAS Services.

MEC was advised that Gemserv is developing a new MRASCo Newsletter – to be published to
all MRA parties and key stakeholders every other month. The Newsletter is intended to
become a key channel of communication, including news on key MRASCo projects, change
release information, system developments and meeting updates. The first newsletter will be
published on 26th September 2018.